I think this is a great article, but it still doesn't cover exactly *what* should the Dem's stand for?
I think there are lots of possible answers, but most of them are "broccoli" type solutions, as opposed to Republican "red meat" solutions.
Ie. the Dem's (when they're not selling out to corporate interests to finance elections) propose things which are good for you. Eg., energy efficient vehicles, paying your fair share of taxes, fighting poverty, boring long range planning stuff.
But the Republican's give all red meat solutions. Eg. fighting terrorism and evil, tax cuts, patriotism, nationalism, star wars, states rights, blaming big government and the UN for the worlds problems, etc.
What concerns me is, a huge chunk of the country is falling for the red meat easy answers. But why?
My personal theory is, most of the country has been economically gutted by the loss of manufacturing jobs overseas. Times are bad, and that creates openings for politicians with easy, feel good answers.
So I think the first question for the Dem's might be, not what is the right answer, but is there a right answer at all? (that's honest *and* will sell)
There are "red meat" answers for the Dems; the problem is that most of them get screamed at as either "librul" or "class warfare" by the Republicans.
These include freedom of speech, a vibrant and exciting culture, more opportunity, fairer taxes, more government-based benefits for lower-and-middle class people, not sending your kids to Iraq, being able to do what you want regardless of what some other guy's religion says.
Most importantly, though, liberals (for that's what we're talking about here) support people right to, well, enjoy sex. Having it, watching it, reading about it, talking about it. Not fearing that it's dirty and sinful and wrong, and not worrying what St. Paul might have said about it nearly 2000 years ago. That's part of the vibrant culture I mentioned.
But I agree with your basic point, which is that the Republicans have removed economic issues from the table and replaced them with a simplistic foreign policy and social conservatism that people support out of their guilt at enjoying these prurient pursuits (like, say, godless pornography and those filthy video games). If you haven't read "what's the matter with Kansas", you should, because it speaks to what you're saying.
I think this is a great article, but it still doesn't cover exactly *what* should the Dem's stand for?
ReplyDeleteI think there are lots of possible answers, but most of them are
"broccoli" type solutions, as opposed to Republican "red meat"
solutions.
Ie. the Dem's (when they're not selling out to corporate interests to
finance elections) propose things which are good for you. Eg., energy
efficient vehicles, paying your fair share of taxes, fighting poverty,
boring long range planning stuff.
But the Republican's give all red meat solutions. Eg. fighting
terrorism and evil, tax cuts, patriotism, nationalism, star wars, states
rights, blaming big government and the UN for the worlds problems, etc.
What concerns me is, a huge chunk of the country is falling for the red
meat easy answers. But why?
My personal theory is, most of the country has been economically gutted
by
the loss of manufacturing jobs overseas. Times are bad, and that
creates openings for politicians with easy, feel good answers.
So I think the first question for the Dem's might be, not what is the
right answer, but is there a right answer at all? (that's honest *and*
will sell)
Ben Slade
PublicMailbox at benslade dot com
There are "red meat" answers for the Dems; the problem is that most of them get screamed at as either "librul" or "class warfare" by the Republicans.
ReplyDeleteThese include freedom of speech, a vibrant and exciting culture, more opportunity, fairer taxes, more government-based benefits for lower-and-middle class people, not sending your kids to Iraq, being able to do what you want regardless of what some other guy's religion says.
Most importantly, though, liberals (for that's what we're talking about here) support people right to, well, enjoy sex. Having it, watching it, reading about it, talking about it. Not fearing that it's dirty and sinful and wrong, and not worrying what St. Paul might have said about it nearly 2000 years ago. That's part of the vibrant culture I mentioned.
But I agree with your basic point, which is that the Republicans have removed economic issues from the table and replaced them with a simplistic foreign policy and social conservatism that people support out of their guilt at enjoying these prurient pursuits (like, say, godless pornography and those filthy video games). If you haven't read "what's the matter with Kansas", you should, because it speaks to what you're saying.